Training Program

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Welcome to McGill University! To ensure ethical and compliant practices, we kindly ask all McGill staff and students working with animals to register for the Animal Compliance Office session. During this session, we will guide you through the necessary processes and steps involved in working with animals at McGill. Please note that this session is exclusively for McGill staff and students.

Click here to register.

If you are part of the MUHC, MNI, Douglas Institute, or Lady Davis Institutes, we kindly request you to reach out to your Local FACC administration for further guidance. We look forward to supporting your endeavors in animal research and teaching at McGill.

The CCAC has made training mandatory starting January 2003.
The McGill mandatory training involves:

Theory course: Everyone listed in an animal use protocol must successfully pass McGill University's online course (more information below).
Practical training: All personnel who will be handling live rodents and rabbits need to take hands-on workshops given at one of our several training sites (more information below).
For practical training with avian species, farm animals, reptiles, amphibians and fish, please contact animalcare [at] mcgill.ca for more information.

Adding a new individual to a protocol/ What steps should I follow to work with animals?

Please make sure to read the animal use protocol that your Investigator has written and discuss what procedures you will be performing. To get access to the animal use protocols online, please fill out the form (it is mandatory for all who are listed on an animal use protocol to have access to the Animal Management Software).
Once you have that information, register to the appropriate species-specific modules and training sessions covering the procedures you will perform. Register as soon as possible since classes fill up quickly.
For the theory portion, click here to read the material online.

You may request the exam via email when you are ready. It's a multiple choice exam online, that can be done anytime. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

You must then confirm with your Investigator that you were added to one or several of their Animal Use Protocols via the Animal Management software (AMS). It will be reviewed and approved by the Facility Animal care committee (FACC).

At this time, you may request an orientation to the facility where your animals are housed. (This must be requested to the specific facility manager/supervisor)

After the orientation is complete, you may now be granted access to the facility.

For species other than laboratory rodents and rabbits, the person will need to have received training from an experienced person (who must meet approval by the Animal Care Committee). A form called 'Certification for Non-rodent Non-rabbit Training' must be completed by the trainer and submitted to the animalcare [at] mcgill.ca email. A student evaluation form is also required where the student initials after they have read the species-appropriate SOPs and their Animal Use Protocol. The forms to complete are available by emailing the animalcare [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Form%20Request%3A%20Certification%20for%20non-rodent%2C%20non-rabbit%20training%20) (Training Advisor).

The Animal Care Committee started implementing the training program fully in 2004. The approval of new Animal Use Protocols as well as renewals is conditional on all personnel having the necessary training. Everyone listed in the personnel section needs to have passed the theory course and, if handling live animals, have at least registered for the practical courses specific to the species involved in the project.

More information on the CCAC training requirements can be obtained at: CCAC's training requirement information.

To inquire if specific specialized training is available, please contact the animalcare [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Specialized%20Training%20Availability) (Training Advisor)s.

Workshop Registration

For Douglas Hospital researchers, staff & students only: To obtain dates and register for the DH workshops, call 514-761-6131 extension: 3342

For Montreal General and Glen Hospitals of the MUHC researchers, staff & students only: To obtain dates and register for the MUHC workshops, send an ARD.Training [at] MUHC.MCGILL.CA (email) to the MUHC.

For Jewish General Hospital - Lady Davis Institute researchers, staff & students only: To obtain dates and register for the JGH workshops, please animalfacility [at] ldi.jgh.mcgill.ca (email) the JGH.

For Montreal Neurological Institute researchers, staff & students only: To obtain dates and register for the MNI workshops, please refer to the MNI website.

McGill Comparative Medicine Animal Resources Centre for all who use animals from McGill facilities and other institutions: To obtain CMARC workshop info please visit the CMARC website.

Animal methodology workshop Information - What training do you need?

Technique	Description	Training Information
*Blood Collections*
Cardiac Puncture	Terminal procedure. See Isoflurane followed by physical method.	See Isoflurane followed by physical method.
Jugular Vein	Drawing blood from the jugular vein in the neck	Mice: Taught in specialized training, modules 1 and 3 are prerequisites. Module 2 is required if using an injectable. Rats: Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Retro-orbital (justify)	Drawing blood from the orbital sinus located behind the eye	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Saphenous Vein	Drawing blood from the lateral saphenous vein in the hind leg	Taught in module 7, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Submandibular	Drawing blood from the submandibular vein, located beneath the jaw	Taught in module 7, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Tail Puncture	Collecting blood using the point of a blade to puncture the vessel	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Tail Snip	Collecting blood by transecting (cutting off) portion of mouse tail under anesthetic and analgesia. Repeat samples can be taken by removal of the scab.	Taught in specialized training, modules 1 and 3 are prerequisites.
Tail Vein	Drawing blood from the coccygeal venipuncture in the tail	Taught in module 7, module 1 is a prerequisite.
*Injections*
Intradermal (Intraplantar, Footpad...)	Administered into the dermal layer of the skin	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Intrafemoral	Administered into the femoral bone	Taught in specialized training, modules 1,2 and 3 are prerequisites.
Intramuscular	Administered into the muscular tissue	Mice: Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite. Rats: Taught in module 2, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Intranasal (Instillation)	Administered through the nasal passages	Requires passing module 1.
Intraperitoneal	Administered into the peritoneal cavity	Taught in module 2, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Intratracheal (Instillation)	Administered directly into the trachea	Taught in specialized training, modules 1 and 3 are prerequisites.
Intratibial	Administered into the tibia (shinbone)	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite
Intracranial (Neonates only)	Administered into the brain	Requires modules 1, 2 and 3.
Intravenous/ Tail vein	Administered into the vein via the tail	Taught in module 6, module 1 is a prerequisite
Subcutaneous	Administered beneath the skin	Taught in module 2, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Retro-Orbital	Administered into orbital sinus behind the eye	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite
Via Cannulation	Administered into a surgically implanted tube	Requires module 1.
Via Tumour or Abscess	Administered either into tissue surrounding the tumour or abscess or directly into it.	Surrounding tissue: Requires modules 1 and 2 (for subcutaneous). Direct: Requires module 1
Oral Gavage	Administered into the esophagus via mouth using a feeding tube or needle	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite
*Other procedures*
Handling and Restraint	Holding and immobilizing the animal	Taught in module 1
Behavioural Testing	Testing through using behavioural apparatus	Requires module 1
Breeding Colony Management	Mating and weaning animals	Taught in module 5 (optional), module 1 is a prerequisite
Intubation	Survival procedure: Insertion of a tube into the trachea	Taught in specialized training, modules 1 and 3 are prerequisites
Implantation	Placement of a device or substance into the body	Requires modules 1,2 and 3
Rectal Administration	Introduction of substances through the rectum	Requires module 1
Genotyping - Ear Punch	Punching a small hole in the ear of an animal	Demonstration in module 1
Genotyping – Fecal Pellet	Collection of fecal pellets	Requires module 1.
Genotyping – Tail Tip	Transecting (cutting off) a small portion of a rodent's tail	Under 21 days of age: Requires module 1. Over 21 days of age: Requires modules 1,2 and 3.
Genotyping – Toe Tip	Transecting a small portion of a young rodent’s toe (under 7 days of age)	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Identification – Ear Punch/Ear Notch	Punching a small hole in the ear of an animal for identification purposes	Demonstration in module 1.
Identification – Micro-tattoo	Identification of animals through tattoo with a small gauge needle or micro-tattooer	Requires passing module 1, Optional specialized training by request.
Identification – Tattoo	Identification of animals through tattoo	Requires passing modules 1 and 3, Optional specialized training by request.
Identification – Microchip	Identification of animals through subcutaneous implant of microchip	Requires passing modules 1,2 and 3, Optional specialized training by request.
Technique	Description	Training Information
Isoflurane and CO2 followed by Secondary Physical Confirmation (Decapitation, Pneumothorax, Cervical Dislocation, Cardiac Puncture)	Isoflurane inhalant anesthetic followed by CO2 euthanasia, confirmed by a secondary physical method	Taught in module 1
Isoflurane followed by exsanguination (Justify)	Isoflurane inhalant anesthetic followed by severing major vein and/or artery resulting in euthanasia by blood loss	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Isoflurane followed by physical method (Decapitation, Cervical Dislocation, Cardiac Puncture) (Justify)	Isoflurane inhalant anesthetic followed by physical method of euthanasia	Requires passing Module 1
Anesthetic overdose followed by a secondary physical method (Decapitation, Cervical Dislocation, Cardiac Puncture)	Euthanasia by anesthetic or barbiturate cocktail overdose, confirmed by a secondary physical method	Requires passing modules 1 and 2 to perform. Specialized training may be required if the drug is not administered Intraperitoneally.
Bell Jar Method of euthanasia using Isoflurane followed by cervical dislocation (Justify)	A closed receptacle containing cotton or gauze soaked with Anesthetic, followed by a physical method of euthanasia	Requires passing module 1.
CO2 chamber by a secondary physical method (Decapitation, Pneumothorax or Cervical Dislocation) (Justify)	CO2 euthanasia confirmed by a secondary physical method	Requires passing module 1.
Cervical Dislocation (without Anesthesia) (Justify)	Euthanasia by cervical dislocation	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Decapitation (without Anesthesia) (Justify)	Euthanasia by decapitation	Taught in specialized training, module 1 is a prerequisite.
Perfusion, Terminal (with Anesthesia)	Isoflurane inhalant or injectable anesthetic followed by severing the right atrium and passing fluid through the lymphatic system or blood vessels to an organ or a tissue.	Requires passing Module 1 and 3. Module 2 is required if using injectable anesthetic
Decapitation (with Anesthesia) for neonates	Isoflurane anesthetic inhalant followed by decapitation with scissors for pups under 14 days	Demonstration in Module 1
Decapitation (without Anesthesia) for neonates	Decapitation with scissors for pups under 14 days	Demonstration in Module 1
Decapitation (with Hypothermia Anesthesia) for neonates	Using ice to induce hypothermic anesthesia followed by decapitation with scissors for pups under 7 days	Requires passing Module 1

Technique	Description	Training Information
Anesthesia – Inhalant	Induction and maintenance of anesthesia using an inhalant machine.	Taught in module 3, module 1 is a prerequisite and in most cases module 2.
Anesthesia – Injection	Induction and maintenance of anesthesia using an injectable cocktail.	Demonstrated in module 3, modules 1 and 2 are prerequisites.
Anesthesia – Rapid Cooling (Neonates only)	Induction and maintenance of anesthesia through hypothermia of neonatal rodents.	Requires passing module 1 to perform.
Any Surgical Procedure	Any technique listed under the Study Segments section of the AUP.	Taught in module 4 (optional). Requires modules 1,2 and 3

Register here

Farm Course: Livestock Handling Theory portion

This will soon be a requirement for working with cattle, swine and poultry species.

PDF icon Livestock Handling

Animal Theory Course

General Information:

The people who will need to take this training include ALL personnel listed in the Personnel section of a McGill University Animal Use Protocol. The Principal Investigator on the protocol must take this training even if not performing any procedures on the animals. Please note that Principal Investigators MUST be certified for the Basic and ADVANCED Levels.

It will cover such matters such as ethics, protocol review process, regulations, committee roles, hazards, drug administration and research issues.

This course started being available on September 1, 2003. The course material can be found on the Theory Course section of the website which is open to all (no code or password necessary). To obtain certification, the participant must send an animalcare [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Theory%20Course%20Test%20Request) (e-mail) and request the test. A link to the exam and a temporary password (called a "Token") will be sent to the requestor via email. The results are supplied by an automatic email upon completion of the exam. Please note that EACH participant must make the request using his/her own email account.

The participant must identify in which investigator’s lab they are working or the course title for which this test is a requirement (if applicable). There are different versions of the test and a specific one is assigned to each person; the test may not be passed on to someone else. Please allow yourself between 30 and 60 minutes to complete the test as there is no option to save and continue.

Training from the McGill Environmental Safety Office

General Information: Occupational Health and Safety

Training offered by the McGill Environmental Safety Office (EHS)can be found on their Safety Training webpage

Training Opportunities/ Continuing Education

File CCAC guidelines - Animal Welfare Assessment

File FACC Roles and Responsibilities - June 27 2023 version

File CCAC - Reportable Animal Welfare Incidents

Office presentation icon CCAC guidelines - FACC site visits

Office presentation icon CCAC Guidelines - Wildlife

File CCAC Guidelines - Identification of Scientific Endpoints - Humane Intervention Points and Cumulative Endpoints

CVMA Convention June 26-30, 2024 Calgary, AB

4th FSVO/UFAW Symposium – Humanely Ending the Life of Animals March 6-7, 2024 Bern, Switzerland

AVMA Convention 2024 June 21–25, 2024 Austin, TX

PRIM&R Annual Conference November 17-20, 2024 Seattle, WA

FELASA 2025 June 2-5, 2025 Athens, Greece

CALAS Call for Abstracts is Open CALAS's annual symposium is a networking and education event for the Canadian Laboratory Animal Science community.

Submission deadline: January 15th (oral presentations); January 22nd (poster presentations), Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from June 22-25, 2024

UFAW International Animal Welfare Conference 2024 July 10-11, 2024 Porto, portugal

🐁 Refined Handling for mice Learn why & how to use refined methods to pick up mice.

ICCVAM Public Forum: May 2023: Presentation slides are available

Chinchilla Consortium: Evidence-based refinements for chinchillas

ANIMAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS SEMINAR AND WORKSHOPS: AGENDA

CARE-FULL STORIES: INTERACTIVE TRAINING RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING YOUR INSTITUTION'S CULTURE OF CARE: Care-full stories is a set of training materials designed to encourage people working in animal research to reflect on their institution's culture of care.

🐟 Zebrafish husbandry education courses sponsored by the Zebrafish Husbandry Association (ZHA) are now available at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

🐟 Focus on Fish: The RSPCA has announced their free Focus on Fish online conference (available to to view anytime!)

Tech 3Rs: NC3Rs has published a new issue of their Tech 3Rs newsletter. They highlight resources to improve mouse welfare in high-yield behavioral experiments, showcase rat refinement, and discuss career paths.

Focus on Severe Suffering: The RSPCA held their 4th international ‘Focus on Severe Suffering’ meeting on August 2022. The meeting summary report is now available.

Compassion fatigue, what is it and how to get help?

How to Make Widespread 3Rs Change, a recorded webinar.

🐒 Improving the welfare of macaques in laboratories, an interesting webpage.

🐟Canadian Aquatic Research Facilities SharePoint Site

The goal of this group is to provide a mechanism for Aquatic Facility Managers, Researchers, and Technicians to communicate with colleagues across Canada.
To request membership, please submit your request to alicia.oneill [at] ec.gc.ca.

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